World No. 1 in Ranking, Wins, Prize Money, and Scoring Average
Diligence and Humility: Focused Only on Golf and Family
Unshakable Mentality, No Weaknesses from Tee to Putt
Scottie Scheffler (United States) is on another level.
He currently leads all major categories on the PGA Tour this year, including world ranking, most wins (4), prize money ($19,202,883), scoring average (68.314), and FedEx Cup points (4,806). At the season’s final major, The Open, which concluded on July 20, he proved his dominance with a four-shot victory.
He has no real rivals. He brings to mind “golf emperor” Tiger Woods (United States), who boasts the most PGA Tour wins in history (82). Since debuting on the PGA Tour in 2020, Scheffler has racked up an astonishing 17 victories, including four majors, in just about three and a half years since 2022.
Scottie Scheffler has risen as the unrivaled strongest player in the world. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Praise from fellow players and experts is endless. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters this year, said, “Scheffler is on a completely different level from the rest of us. He’s already at a place we’re all striving to reach.”
Xander Schauffele (United States), last year’s Open champion, also said, “I never thought I’d see another player as dominant as Tiger Woods so soon. This isn’t just a hot streak?he’s maintained perfect form for over two years now.”
So, what is the secret behind Scheffler reaching his prime at age 29? The core factors are diligence and humility. He lives a life focused solely on golf and family. As a devout Christian, he makes prayer and reading the Bible part of his daily routine. He is a player who devotes himself entirely to golf, leaving no room for distractions.
His lifestyle is also modest. From 2012 until last year, he drove a single GMC Yukon SUV for 12 years, logging an incredible 300,000 kilometers. Despite having the wealth to afford luxury cars, he kept driving the old vehicle and only recently replaced it for his child’s safety. He truly embodies the phrase “a golfer with principles.”
Scottie Scheffler is a dedicated player who only thinks about golf and family. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Although his swing is unconventional, his precision is the result of immense practice. Even the day after a victory, he unfailingly visits the driving range and weight room. Im Sungjae said, “Scheffler practically lives at the practice range. He excels in every aspect?mental game, ball contact, and short game recovery.” His personality is also gentle; he still easily mingles with his high school friends, showing his down-to-earth nature.
His strong mentality and confidence are also key weapons. He rarely wavers during tournaments. Even after a double bogey on the 8th hole of the final round at The Open, he immediately bounced back with a birdie on the 9th. He is ranked first in the “bounce back” category (35.34%). He responds calmly even to great shots, without excessive emotion. It is not easy for opponents to break Scheffler’s mental game. When praised as “like Tiger Woods in his prime,” he simply waved it off, saying, “That’s nonsense.”
He is also a master of momentum. After going two years without a win, he exploded in 2022. In just six tournaments?Phoenix Open in February, Arnold Palmer Invitational and Dell Technologies Match Play in March, and the Masters in April?he captured four victories, ascending to the world number one spot. He displaced Jon Rahm (Spain), who was then world number one, and has held the top ranking firmly since May 23, 2023.
Scheffler stands at 191 cm and weighs 91 kg, boasting a commanding physique with no weaknesses in any area. He handles every club?driver, iron, wedge, putter?with complete mastery. The player ability radar chart published on the official PGA Tour website forms a perfect pentagon. With an average driving distance of 305.6 yards, a fairway hit rate of 62.16%, he ranks first in strokes gained off the tee (0.7), and with a greens-in-regulation rate of 70.75% (8th), he is also first in strokes gained on approach (1.29).
Even when he misses the green, his scrambling success rate is 68.84% (2nd), allowing him to save par or better. His putting, once considered a weakness, has greatly improved. His average putts per green in regulation is 1.708 (4th), and his average putts per round is 28.19 (10th), placing his overall putting skills among the tour’s best. He has now evolved into a complete golfer with no weaknesses.
Scottie Scheffler has improved even in putting, which was pointed out as a weakness. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
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